Overview of Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)
The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) was formed in 1970 to oversee the permitting process for energy facilities in the state. It serves as a one-stop permitting agency for various permits required for energy projects, making recommendations to the Governor for final decisions. EFSEC membership includes government officials and representatives from different agencies involved in the review process. The council evaluates different types of energy facilities, including nuclear power plants, non-hydro, non-nuclear thermal power plants, and alternative energy resources. The siting process for energy projects involves multiple stages from application submission to final recommendations to the Governor.
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Presentation Transcript
Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council These Slides Are Intended for Illustrative Purposes Only and Do Not Represent the Official Position of EFSEC on Any Individual Project
History EFSEC formed in 1970 for thermal power plants One stop permitting Issuing agency for permits otherwise issued by a variety of agencies within the state (e.g., water quality, air quality, etc.) State agency and local government members EFSEC recommendation to Governor for final decision Final decision preempts all other state and local governments EFSEC 2
Council Membership (RCW 80.50.030) Chair Governor Appointee Kathleen Drew Local Government (City and County) for application review Dept. of Ecology Robert Dengel Port District nonvoting for application review Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Mike Livingston Optional application review members: Dept. of Agriculture Derek Sandison (Horse Heaven project) Dept. of Transportation Bill Sauriol (Goose Prairie project) Dept. of Health Military Dept. Dept. of Commerce Kate Kelly Dept. of Natural Resources Lenny Young Utilities & Transportation Commission Stacey Brewster EFSEC 3 3
Facilities (RCW 80.50.060) Energy plants: Any nuclear power facility where the primary purpose is to produce and sell electricity Non hydro, nonnuclear thermal power plants 350+ MW Alternative energy resources (wind, solar, geothermal, wave/tidal, landfill gas, biomass, etc.) any size may opt-in Transmission Lines 115+ kV may opt-in Pipelines Refineries and Storage Facilities EFSEC 4
Facilities Seattle Spokane Kittitas Valley Wind Olympia Columbia Solar Desert Claim Wind Wild Horse Wind Grays Harbor Energy Center Goose Prairie Columbia Generating Station Chehalis CT WNP -1/4 Horse Heaven Whistling Ridge Wind Application Under Review Approved - Construction Not Started Under Construction Operating Decommissioning EFSEC 5
Siting Process Application Submitted Land Use Hearing SEPA Permits Determination Consistency Determination* DNS or MDNS* Determination of Significance Initiate Intervention SEPA Scoping & Agency Notification Schedule Prehearing Conferences Draft EIS Preparation Prehearing Conferences (Grants intervention and identifies issues) DEIS Issued/ Public Comment DEIS Comment response & FEIS Preparation Adjudicative Hearings FEIS Issued Deliberation Final Order and SCA if recommending Approval Findings & Conclusions Recommendation to Governor *Application may qualify for expedited process EFSEC 6
Adjudicative Proceedings (WAC 463-30) Stipulations and Settlements Findings and Conclusions Record Compiled Deliberations EFSEC 7
SEPA Threshold Determination (WAC 463-47) Determination of Non- Significance (DNS) or Mitigated DNS (MDNS) Determination of Significance Scoping Public Comment Issue DEIS Public Comment Issue Final EIS EIS Not Required Determination noticed to public Determination issued EFSEC 8
Siting Process Expedited (WAC 463-43) Applicant Requests Expedited Process Must be made in writing DNS or MDNS Required Consistent with Land Use Council Decides Eligibility Council Reviews ASC No EIS or Adjudication Council Recommendation to Governor EFSEC 9
Permit Issuance (WAC 463-76, Water; WAC 463-78, Air) EFSEC issues and monitors compliance with Water Quality Permits Air Quality Permits Any other applicable permits that would typically be issued by a state agency EFSEC 10
Recommendation to the Governor (RCW 80.50.100) The Council makes a recommendation to approve or reject an application Within 60 days of receipt of the Council s recommendation, the Governor must: 1. Approve the application and execute the draft certification agreement; 2. Reject the application; or 3. Remand the recommendation to the council for reconsideration. Any application rejected by the Governor is FINAL as to that application EFSEC 11
Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (RCW 80.50.150; WAC 463-70) State and Local agencies contracted to assist EFSEC Staff in monitoring compliance with: Site Certification Agreement Requirements Permits EIS or MDNS stipulated mitigation EFSEC has enforcement authority, including the issuance of penalties, for all facilities issued site certification agreements and associated permits. EFSEC 12
Public Input Verbal comment sign up Email efsec@utc.wa.gov Call (360) 664-1345 Mail Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council 621 Woodland Square Loop P.O. Box 43172 Olympia, WA 98504-3172 Email efsec@utc.wa.gov Online https://comments.efsec.wa.gov EFSEC 13
